The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-27
A PETTED BURGLAR.
The Sunny Life Of the Fascinating Charles
Blake in New Castle Jail.

WILMINGTON, Del. May 26.-Charies Blake,
noted Philadelphia burglar, was released from
New Castle jail last evening after serving sem
tence of three years for HOUSEKEEPING and rob-
berry. Blake was large, well-proDortioned fell
low, of pleasing manners and pleasing CONVEX
sationalist. He seemed wholly irresistible to
the women with whom he came in contact DUR
ing his trial and i'm prisonmen and while he
incarcerated his life most romantic. Though
it was known that he was notorious crook. after
his conviction bogus sister in the person of
a elite and comedy young woman made an
earnest appeal to Governor Stockley to have the
corporeal misunderstanding lashes and an hour
in the plory-remitted. She pleaded her
knees before the tender hearted Governor and he
took from the courts sentence the public punish
ment
The woman came aud went to and from tho
Jail, carving him dehcacies and flowers or
naments for his cell, bric-a -brac furniture and
carpets until the prisoner seemed like petted
bird in a gilded cage. He ate the best of food,
and his cigars were the envy of his keepers
OF this attention, however he soon tired. and
the opportunity presented itself for his escape,
another woman furnishing him with a set of
keys that gave him liberty. he came to this
city, where he remained in hiding two DAYS,
when he was apprehended by the police and re-
turned to his luxurious cell.
While here he sought the seclUsion OF the
house of another woman admirer whose hus-
band was member of the police force, but her
infatuation for the Jail bird protected him until
he got drunk and recklessly showed himself to
the policeman. His alleged sister, displeased at
the unfsithfulness of his act in escaping and not
coming to her for protection. discarded him in
part, but left him in the possession OF the FUR
nishings of his CELL
Miss Gusse Turner, of Philadelphia, in going
through the Jail tour of curious inspection
one afternoon attracted to Blake, and they
talked awhile together 1t was quite evident
that she, too was infatuated with the prisoner.
and she came again and again. bringing flowers
and fruits She took up her home in New Cas-
tie and had Elake's meals served from one of the
hotels until she became tiresome to the officials
One evening she induced Mayor Black to en-
ter the Jail with her, and upon reaching Blake's
cell she insisted upon marriage ony be-
ing performed, and the good natured Mayor
complied with her request and the two were
married.
One day, after visit from the wife, Blake
and another prisoner were taking their exercise
in the jail yard. Workmen had left quantity
of long, heavy timber, which they had been
using in repairs. These showed Blake way
to freedom. and lest his fellow convict should
apprise the keeper of his escape he co manded
him to JOIN in the flight. To escape required
the ascent of the twenty foot wall and leap
from its top to the other side. Blake forced his
companion to the daring feat and he followed.
making daring dash. and both landed safely.
It quite dark when they escaped, end pro-
curing clothes and money from some outslde
source, presumably from the new Mrs. Blake.
they were soon en- route for Oxford. They
Travelled all night and lay in the woods by day,
and had Just about reached their destination
when a policeman from Wilmington in pursuit
routed them from their hiding.
The companion, seeing escape irnoossible, at
once surrendered. Blake defied the officials
He gathered an armful of stones and took a
stand, bombardins the officer as be advanced
The officer, in self defense. pulled his revolver
and fired, the bullet striking the fugtives foot,
penetrating the instep. Blake fell. and even
after receiving the wound was taken with olf-
fculty The wound of serious nature,
and only through the careful Afternoon OF the
Jail physician the FOOT saved
Upon being returned to the jail blake was
put in another CELL Invested OF all furniture
save mattress, ard for long time ne was
kent in chains No one permitted to see
him and the door of the cell was kept locked.
His wife, however insisted upon taking ad-
vantage of the rules of the institution, and her
persistent applications were finally successful.
though afterward they were only allowed to
talk through a crack IN the door
When he was released last evening he walked
out with his wife trirlmphanty, after leaving
various messages to be delivered to his fair ad-
mrers
Blake the shrew dest. most adroit man
ever incarcerated in thei New Castle Jail. De-
spite his treacnery, be would insinuate himself
into the good graces of his keepers; would ap-
prise them of any disorder proposed deiiv-
cries. and when their attention was diverted
from himself he would make dash Tor escape
Upon his body are scars made by twelve bullets,
which he has received at various times whie
pursuing his career burglar. ana. wnl.e
some of them were very serious, his vigorous
constitution threw of the effects of the balls en-
tirely.
Blake states that he has taken pledge 70 ao-
stain from drinking and has PROMISED mis- wire.
who took him to her HON in Philadelphia, TO
give up his calling thief ana lead an honest
life.